LO3: Develop best topology

Network connectivity devices

1 Network Interface Cards (NIC)
Also called network adapter
Receive data and convert it into electrical signals.
Receive electrical signals and convert them into
data.
Determine if the data received is for a particular
computer.
Control the flow of data through the cable
 Network adapters constitute the physical
interface between the computer and the
network cable.
 Network adapters, also known as network
interface cards, are installed into an expansion
slot in each computer and server on the
network.
 After the network adapter is installed, the
network cable is attached to the adapter's port
to physically connect the computer to the
network.
 As the data passes through the cable to the
network adapter, it is formatted into packets.
 A packet is a logical grouping of information that
includes a header, which contains location
information and user data.
 The header contains address fields that include
information about the data's origin and
destination.
 The network adapter reads the destination
address to determine if the packet is to be
delivered to this computer.
 Each network adapter has a unique address that
is incorporated into chips on the card.
 This address is called the physical, or media
access control (MAC), address.
The network adapter performs the following
functions:
 Receives data from the computer's operating
system and converts it into electrical signals that
are transmitted onto the cable.
 Receives electrical signals from the cable and
translates them into data that the computer's
operating system can understand.
 Determines whether data received from the cable
is intended for the computer.
 Controls the flow of data between the computer
and the cabling system
 Repeaters

 As signals travel along a cable, they degrade and

become distorted in a process called "attenuation."
If a cable is long enough, attenuation will finally
make a signal unrecognizable.
• Installing a repeater enables signals to travel farther.
Repeater Considerations
• Repeaters afford the least expensive way to expand
a network. When the need arises to extend the
physical network beyond its distance or node
limitations, consider using a repeater to link
segments if neither segment is generating much
traffic or limiting costs is a major consideration.
 Use a repeater to:
• Connect two segments of similar or dissimilar
media.
• Regenerate the signal to increase the distance
transmitted.
• Pass all traffic in both directions.
• Connect two segments in the most cost-effective
manner.
Do not use a repeater when:
• There is heavy network traffic.
• Segments are using different access methods.
• Data filtering is needed.
 3 Hubs
 Hubs are connectivity devices that connect
computers in a star topology.
 Hubs contain multiple ports for connecting to
network components.
 If you use a hub, a break in the network does not
affect the entire network; only the segment and
the computer attached to that segment fail.
 A Hub works at the physical layer of the OSI
Reference Model to regenerate the network's
signals and resend them out on other segments.
 Hubs are multiport repeater
 A single data packet sent through a hub goes to
all connected computers.
There are two types of hubs:
• Passive Hubs: Send the incoming signal directly
through their ports without any signal processing.
These hubs are usually wiring panels.
• Active Hubs: Sometimes called multiport
repeaters, receive incoming signals, process the
signals, and retransmit them at their original
strengths and definitions to the connected
computers or components.
 Use a hub to:
• Easily change and expand wiring systems.
• Use different ports to accommodate a variety
of cable types.
• Enable central monitoring of network activity
and traffic.
 Bridges

 Like a repeater, a bridge can join segments or

workgroup LANs.
 However, a bridge can also divide a network to
isolate traffic or problems. For example, if the
volume of traffic from one or two computers or a
single department is flooding the network with
data and slowing down the entire operation.
 a bridge could isolate those computers or that
department.
 Bridges can be used to:
• Expand the length of a segment.
• Provide for an increased number of computers on
the network.
• Reduce traffic bottlenecks resulting from an
excessive number of attached computers.
• Split an overloaded network into two separate
networks, reducing the amount of traffic on each
segment and making each network more efficient.
• Link unlike physical media such as twisted-pair and
coaxial Ethernet.